Combination…

… catch up post since I’ve been absent this week.  I’ve been out running and that’s a good thing!

SATURDAY'S 4.04 MILE RUN on the Montour Trail was a perfect Fall afternoon for a run.  Unfortunately – I was slow and not comfortable at all. 

I downloaded the new ios 5 operating system to my iPhone, I had to reload all my apps.  RUNKEEPER is what I use to keep track of my physical activity and since the upgrade to my phone, I had to reset my programming.  I did it on the fly before the run and normally run a 10/1 [10 mins running/1 min walking]. I programmed the 10 min run correctly, but the 1 minute walk got programmed as a 1 MILE walk.

I decided to wing it while I was out there – but it added to the stress I felt while I was out there running.  But, we need uncomfortable runs to appreciate the good ones.  It’s over, done and in the books.  I did it – doesn’t matter how fast – it made me realize that training for the PGH HALF MARATHON, it’s the distance NOT the time that should be most important.

MONDAY'S 3.49 MILE RUN was multi-tasking at its’ best.  I needed to make a bank deposit and get a 3+ mile run in and fortunately for me – I was able to combine the two.  One of our banks is close enough to our house that I am able to incorporate a good [and safe] running route.

It made me proud when the teller said: It’s a good day for a walk…

And I replied: It sure is – but it’s a GREAT DAY for a RUN!!

Initially I’d planned to take two rest days before Saturday’s FREAKY 5k RACE, but MOM WAS HAVING ISSUES FROM HER RECENT SURGERY and they had to clean/irrigate her incision.  [Successful!!] That threw off my training schedule for this week – but I made adjustments to my rest days.  Not really a problem, it was more important to be available for her.

Miserable weather conditions made me take THURSDAY'S 2.00 MILE RUN indoors on the elevated track.  Let me just say, I’m not worried about running in less than ideal conditions – but I also need to think about my own health.  It was a taper run in preparation for Saturday’s race.  I just needed to put up mileage and keep my body moving.  I didn’t need speed or hill work – I certainly don’t need to risk illness by being all Bad A$$ and running outdoors. 

Could I have run outdoors? Yes. 

Did I absolutely NEED to run outdoors? No.

I got in the run I needed to and I’m comfortable with that – I’m looking forward to the race in the morning – we’ll leave it at that!

Well Deserved…

… rest today.

I gotta tell ya, ever since I’ve gotten back from VEGA$, it’s been difficult to stay on track.  While it was a wonderful respite and vacation, the moment I returned, I picked up right where I left off with all my ‘responsibilities’.

Oh, I try to give myself goals and encouragement to run more races. I signed up for the FREAKY 5k and with a huge leap of faith, the PGH HALF MARATHON.

There was a time last week that I thought my schedule wasn’t going to permit me to run the Freaky 5k – but it looks as though that’s going to happen now – so I’m looking forward to it.

While I’m anxious [in a good way] about training for the Half Marathon in May 2012 – it seems so far away that it’s almost unreal.  I’m dreading taking my training indoors for the Winter – and with today’s weather [rainy, cold and the entire outdoors blowing sideways], I long for the warm, sunny days of running this Summer on the MONTOUR TRAIL.

I haven’t quite picked out a ‘training schedule’ yet because I wasn’t sure I wanted to start training immediately or wait and really do a 16-week training schedule leading up to the Half and feel like I am on a true schedule.

Indecision.  I haz it.

So right now, I’m just willy-nilly-ing it and choosing what distance to go for that day.

I haven’t had a LONG run in a few weeks.  Last week was miserable for running – I just couldn’t get away from the house for any length of time to complete substantial mileage.

I’ve been trying to get some biking in on the ‘rest’ days between running and it’s leaving me tired.  My muscles FEEL it.  I need more rest.

While I feel like I’m making excuses, I’m also keeping it honest.  Yesterday’s run was hard.  It wasn’t fun, it was a struggle.  I wanted to quit.  But I kept running and completed the distance I’d picked out in my head. 3.12 miles [5k].

Do I want to keep running?

Yes.  Yes, I do.

I think I’m suffering POST-GREAT RACE euphoria.

I need to get RE-focused.  Find new weekly goals and get on task.  Feel like I’m making progress and moving forward towards those goals.

So here we come Freaky 5k! 

Sub 44 mins – right?

It’s Strange…

… when I set the OCTOBER MILEAGE GOALS, I thought I was being conservative.

While I like to push myself, I didn’t want to stress myself by setting the bar too far out of reach.

I wasn’t sure how much I’d be able to get outside and do – or even if I’d have time to get to the gym if the weather wasn’t cooperative. 

I also never expected to get such wonderful bike rides in this month.

Just goes to show, I am not sure what to expect!

As of this morning, you can see on the ticker at the top of the page, I’ve already exceeded this month’s goal of 42 miles by over 9 miles.

And I’m okay with that…

I Honestly Don’t Know…

… what has gotten into me, but this running bug hit and it hit hard.

Yes, I ran the PGH MARATHON 5k back in May, 2011.  I was excited and stressed because I had so many doubts as to whether I could actually do it.  Complete the 3.1 miles required to cross the Finish Line.

I did.

At breakfast that morning, my young cousin challenged me to do the GREAT RACE 10k in September, 2011.  Again with the doubts and the stress.

But sometimes, you just know you’re doing the right thing even though you don’t know exactly WHY you’re doing it.

When my cousin caught up to me and ran with me part of the 10k course, it was a special moment.  So many people and yet – she found me.  That’s what I meant when I said that it was a special gift.

I think you see where I’m going with this:  5k, 10k, Half [13.1 miles].

So it shouldn’t come as any surprise that on Monday, October 10th, 2011 – I registered to run the PGH MARATHON on May 6, 2012.

My goal is to finish the HALF [13.1 miles].

206 days to train…

So What Was It Like…

… to run the Vegas Strip?

<---this was a shot of the North Strip I took from the top of the EIFFEL TOWER. Let me just tell you – I ran that strip like there was no tomorrow.

ALL 5.76 MILES OF IT. I took my time – I even wore my contacts [I don’t normally wear my distance glasses when I run] because I didn’t want to miss a thing.

The first couple days I spent in Vegas were recovery mode from GREAT RACE 10k 2011. [Let me just say, I wouldn’t advise going on a WALKING VACATION the day after a race. Less than 24 hours after ANY length race.]  I always do an amazing amount of walking in Vegas, but I don’t mind – there’s always so much to see.

I decided to keep myself on East Coast time.  It automatically happened this past January when I was vacationing then and I enjoyed being up early while the locals were up instead of all the tourists.  So it was no different this time – but I noticed something I didn’t notice before.

ALL THE PEOPLE OUT RUNNING.

I couldn’t wait to get out there and run – but I really did need to rest a day or so first.

Wednesday morning was the day I’d picked long before I arrived in town.  It was still dark, but I pulled on my running gear and went down to S*bucks to get my ritual morning coffee.  I’d made friends with the folks working there at the TROPICANA S*BUCKS, so I don’t need to tell you that when I stepped up to the counter to order and the manager I’d befriended said to me: are you back from your run, I was shocked.  No one had ever mistaken me for a runner before.

I was smiling before I ever set foot out of the building.

I started on the South Strip in front of the MGM GRAND and ran North to the ENCORE.  It seemed like an easy, straight shot.  Here’s the thing about Las Vegas: they don’t want folks crossing the main streets that intersect the Strip because of the traffic, so there are escalators and pedestrian bridges.  Instead of doing the 10/1 RUNNING, I simplified things by just riding the escalator, walking across the bridge and down the escalator back to the sidewalk and ran again.  Believe me, there were plenty of those bridges to cross!

I passed so many runners – I didn’t try to count but there were easily 50 that I passed that morning.  Here’s a cool thing I realized when I was out there running – a lot of the folks running were tourists like me.  BUT – a great portion of the other runners were CIRQUE du SOLEIL performers! Vegas is home to 8 Cirque shows, so it would make sense that they get out early and do their work.

Here’s one thing I learned about running in Las Vegas.  It’s the desert, you don’t sweat like you normally do – it evaporates before you even sense that it might be sweat. 

I celebrated with a VITA COCO COCONUT WATER that I purchased just before the end of my run.  Gotta be healthy and re-hydrate!!

All in all, it was an easy run – probably because I was distracted by all my surroundings.

What a sense of accomplishment – my run that morning.  I never even stopped to think that I nearly ran another 10k!

Great Race 20II…

… I think it’s time we talked about it.

I was enthused when I went to the Expo the day before the race to pick up my packet.  I love reading the faceb00k updates.  But let’s be perfectly honest here – I don’t always feel like an ‘athlete’.  It’s easy to become doubtful when I see myself surrounded by younger, leaner, faster folks.

Still – I’m proud of my accomplishments to date and I am planning to continue for as long as I am able to train to become stronger!

GREAT RACE morning came quick.  It was early, but the weather predicted clear, cool skies.I had picked out my gear and before I knew it – we were off to find a parking place near the Finish Line.  I made a pit-stop at the local S*Bucks just before the other racers discovered it. Whew.  I left my brother with his coffee and told him I’d see him at the Finish Line – in about 3 hours!

I wasn’t sure where the line began for the shuttle to FRICK PARK from PPG PLACE – but I walked at least 5 blocks to find the end of the line and was herded on the bus with the other runners.  By this time – the 5k had begun and there were folks on the last 3 miles of the course!

As I rode the bus out to Frick Park – I admit that I was intimidated.  It took a while for us to get there – I was surrounded by folks chatting with their seat partners.  I was standing and alone.  I just kept thinking how far IS IT to the Starting Line????

And then it hit me: There’s NO turning back.  The only way BACK to the car is to RUN – no matter HOW FAR – I had no choice.

If I was intimidated on the bus – the Starting Line was CRAY-ZEE.

Literally thousands of people.  Record numbers were running – something like 14,500 was the cut off.  Which – okay – lots, now imagine all those folks in line for the porta-potties.  Yeah.  JUST. LIKE. THAT.

But you know what? I was able to stay focused.  For as surreal as it all felt – I was able to maintain just an amount of enjoyable detachment and soak in the experience.  I had to – you just never know – it could be the First and Last time.  I wanted to remember it all!

I don’t LOOK intimidated – do I?

HA! Acting.

The Starting Line was on a down hill – a LARGE down hill.  When the gun went off – it was a good 1:00 – 1:30 before I crossed the Start Line.  I was anxious and nearly turned back for the porta-potty, but I saw the crowd ahead of me start up the hill and turn to the left and I knew it was too late and we were ON OUR WAY!

Once I made it up the first HUGE hill – it was mostly flat course.  I just needed to keep my head in the game and pick my own pace.  It’s so easy to get caught up in other folks’ rhythm and want to keep up with them.  I’m not kidding when I say: I was passed by thousands of runners.  They were  running their race – this was MINE to complete.

I settled in and next thing I knew, I could see CARNEGIE MELLON UNIVERSITY on my left. [Mile 2]  Theirs was the first BAND out to serenade the runners!The crowd was starting to thin as I made a right onto Morewood Ave and just as I made the left onto Fifth – my iPod played Bette Midler’s ‘Cool Yule’ – by then, I was hot and looking forward to the first H20 stop. [‘Cool Yule’ is the only song I remember playing that day – I was listening to the 10/1 COACHING more than the tunes.]  Low and behold – there was a PITT ENSEMBLE to play us on!!

Here’s the thing about H20 stops – there are a lot of cups on the ground.  If you’re a ‘back-of-the-pack-er’ like me, it can be mighty slippy.  [Don’t say you haven’t been warned!]  But I took two cups – one to sip and one to pour down my back.  Did the trick to cool me off!

I settled back down and just then, I looked around and it hit me – I WAS RUNNING DOWN THE MIDDLE OF FIFTH AVENUE. There was CHILDREN'S, PRESBYTERIAN [where I had my back surgery in 2008 and AND MOM HAD JUST HAD HERS THE WEEK BEFORE] and MONTEFIORE hospitals. [Mile 4]

Fifth Avenue in Oakland. In. The. Center. Lane.  I was going to remember this for a long time to come.

After I passed CARLOW UNIVERSITY, we made a dog-leg left onto the ramp to Boulevard of the Allies.  Just as I began down the ramp – I heard someone from behind call my name.  I knew a number of folks running in the race [including my cousins], but it was such a hectic start – I wasn’t able to meet up with any of them.

Low and behold – it was my 15 year-old cousin who had challenged me to run the 10k.

I’m telling you – THAT was a gift. 

Her parents were ahead of us and she told me that she’d been in line for the porta-potty and gotten a late start.  After I got over the shock of seeing her, I told her she could run ahead, I was slow, but I was going to finish.  She told me she was tired from a workout the day before for her HS Volleyball team – but she’d committed to run the Great Race.  She didn’t need to set a PR – just Finish. [My goal every single time.] 

We ran/walked the next mile or so together and talked.  I haven’t seen her since the PITTSBURGH 5k in May, so we had a lot to catch up on!

Mostly, it distracted me and that helped in so many ways.  We had a beautiful view of Mount Washington and the River.  We saw SMILEY just before we got to DUQUESNE UNIVERSITY stadium and another BAND!  It was also the last ‘hill’ before the descent into downtown.  [Mile 5]

Once we hit the 5.5 mile marker, my cousin took off for the Finish Line and I knew that after I passed POINT PARK UNIVERSITY it was just a hop, skip and a jump to POINT STATE PARK and the Finish Line!

I gotta tell ya, that was a lonely and hard last little run.  Most of the spectators on the course had made their way to the Park to meet up with the runners who’d finished.  I couldn’t stay focused on the surroundings because from street level, the buildings are so tall and dang it – it’s HARD to run and look up at the sky! [Mile 6]

As I rounded the corner onto Commonwealth Place, I was greeted by crowds... And cheers... And High 5’s…

Into the park I ran…

It was everything they said it would be – it still makes me emotional to think about.

I won’t kid you – 6.2 miles is a LONG way – even to walk.  But the adrenaline kicked in and I knew I was going to finish strong.

Clock time: 1:32:21. Chip time: 1:29:49.

AN AMAZING FEAT to be sure for my first 10k.

I did it…

So I Joined…

… this RUNNING GROUP. 

I’m a little nervous.  I don’t really every run with other people.  I’m one of those ‘lone’ runners.  Mostly because I run when it fits into my schedule.

But I looked into this group because it’s local and with the one year membership fee [$30] I get discounts on entry fees for the races I’m running.

Plus, I figure it wouldn’t hurt to put myself out there and really push a little harder.

So – first TRAINING RUN on Saturday, October 15th.

It’s free and if I don’t like it – well – then I never need go back.  Right??

Also – a good MORNING RUN around the neighborhood.  I bought a new pair of running shoes the other night and I wanted to test them out to see if I was going to keep them.  I thought about wearing them on the elevated track at the gym so I wouldn’t scuff them up and could return them if I needed.

It was TOO BEAUTIFUL to NOT run outside today.

Perfect.

Definitely a gift…

Let’s Set a New Monthly Goal…

…because while I didn’t blow SEPTEMBER'S MILEAGE GOALS out of the water, I did exceed them.

From 227.76 miles in August to 272.64 in September.

First, let me explain that I’m not making excuses, but September was a very difficult month.  MOM NEEDED ALMOST CONSTANT CARE for the first 20-something days of the month.

I didn’t get ONE bike ride in for September.  ALL that mileage was running with the exception of two leisurely walks.

THAT is much to be proud of – and I am.

So for October and the changing weather, I have not given up the hope of getting out on the trail again with my bike.  But I’m going to err on the side of caution and add only 42 miles for the month.

Doable.

TOTALLY.